About
250,000 motorcyclists were in Galveston on Saturday for the Lone Star
Rally. Four riders died this week — two en route to Galveston, one at
the rally and another headed to the Causeway.

Photo: Leslie Plaza Johnson, Freelancer / Contributor

Two
people riding motorcycles without helmets died in separate crashes
Friday in Galveston, bringing the death toll to at least four as 250,000
bikers assembled for the annual Lone Star Rally.

Both
the 54-year-old Rockwall woman and the 65-year-old League City man died
after sustaining serious head injuries, Galveston police said.

Two
other motorcyclists were killed Thursday in Hardin County en route to
Galveston, according to the Department of Public Safety.

James
Horton, 34, and Casey Horton, 35, of Lewisville, were riding a
motorcycle behind a Dodge pickup on S.H. 326 in Hardin County when the
truck turned into the shoulder, intending to make a U-turn. While
turning, the truck hit their bike, according to DPS.

The Hortons, both of whom were wearing helmets, died at the scene, DPS said.

According to a Facebook post, James Horton was a mechanic at the Lumberjack Harley-Davidson shop in Nacogdoches.

The
Friday crash involving the Rockwall woman happened shortly after 6
p.m., when several motorcyclists approached East Beach Drive while
heading east along Seawall Boulevard.

As
the man driving the lead motorcycle began braking to make the sharp
turn onto East Beach Drive, which leads to Apffel Park at the island’s
east end, a trailing motorcyclist failed to notice the slowdown and
struck the lead motorcycle.

The
striking motorcycle overturned, dealing “serious head trauma” to the
Rockwall woman who was riding as a passenger, officials said. She died
shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital with the male
driver, who was treated for minor injuries.

Officials did not suspect alcohol played a role in the crash, officials said, and no charges were filed over the incident.

Less
than three hours later, a man heading for the Galveston Causeway lost
control of his motorcycle as he crested the 61st Street overpass.
Witnesses told police the man was traveling “at a high rate of speed” as
he left the nearby intersection of 59th Street and Broadway Avenue J.

“As
we roll into the weekend (police) only expects an increase of visitors
and vehicles to the island,” said Joshua Schirard, in a release from the
Galveston Police Department. “As such, we would like to stress the
importance of wearing proper protective equipment when you ride a
motorcycle, including a helmet.”

GALVESTON POLICE DEPT PRESS RELEASE:

Two Fatality Motorcycle
Accidents on the Island

On Friday, November 2nd,
Galveston Island experienced two fatal motorcycle accidents. The details
for both crashes are as follows:

300 Seawall: 6:08pm

As several motorcyclists were
proceeding east on Seawall Blvd, approaching East Beach Dr, the lead motorcycle
began braking as he prepared to turn right onto East Beach Dr. One of the
motorcycles behind him failed to see him slowing to turn and struck him.
The striking motorcycle, bearing a male driver and female passenger then
overturned and slid off of the seawall. The 54-year-old female passenger
from Rockwall, TX, sustained serious head trauma as a result of the crash and
died shortly after being transported to UTMB. The male driver was also
transported to UTMB for minor injuries. Neither rider was wearing a
helmet. Alcohol is not suspected to be a contributing factor in the
collision; however, the driver consented to a sample of his blood being
taken. No charges have been filed at this time.

6300 Ave J: 9:41pm

As a motorcyclist was leaving the
island, he left the light at 59th St and Ave J, traveling
outbound at a high rate of speed according to witnesses. As he crested
the 61st St overpass, the driver lost control and laid the bike
down on the roadway. As a result, the 65-year-old driver from League City
sustained a serious head injury and was pronounced dead shortly after being
transported to UTMB. The rider was not wearing a helmet, and no other
vehicles were involved in the crash.

As we roll into the weekend
the Galveston Police Department only expects an increase of visitors and
vehicles to the island. As such, we would like to stress the importance of
wearing proper protective equipment when you ride a motorcycle, including a
helmet.

CPT Joshua Schirard

Operations Bureau Commander

Galveston Police Department

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